We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Bibliography

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786808328

Plot Summary

While the struggle African Americans faced to end racial discrimination is well known and documented in history textbooks found in classrooms all over the world, the history of Negro League Baseball teams and players has remained relatively unknown to most children and adults.  In this exceptional informational account of African American baseball players who overcame overwhelming obstacles to play the sport they were born to play, Kadir Nelson uncovers the truth behind the athletes who played on the Negro League Baseball teams and the owners and managers who worked tirelessly to keep the League in business despite prejudice, hatred, and segregation.  Through the voice of an anonymous Negro League Baseball player, the reader discovers how difficult life truly was for players in the Negro Leagues.  From the awful conditions they played in every day, to the insufficient salaries they earned, the narrator paints a realistic picture of the typical Negro League player's life.  The reader learns first-hand details about the Negro League all-star players, and the stories that are shared make it feel as though you are truly listening to the memories of the players themselves.  This historical text shares every detail imaginable about the Negro Leagues - beginning with the league's formation in the 1920s through its gradual conclusion after Jackie Robinson signed with the major leagues in 1947.  The nameless and unheard of Negro League players finally receive the recognition they deserve in We Are The Ship - after all, they were the ones who helped to change the course of history by ultimately paving the way for all the athletes who would follow them and by challenging the racial prejudices of their times.

Critical Analysis

In this outstanding social history informational book, author and illustrator Kadir Nelson has hit a home-run with his beautiful tribute to the Negro League baseball players and the experiences they had while fighting for the chance to play the sport they loved.  Written from the perspective of a Negro League ballplayer, the style of the writing is personal and makes the reader feel as though they actually there with the players - standing in the dugout during the game, crouched behind the plate as the runner slides into home, or riding on the crowded bus with the rest of the team to catch the next doubleheader.  This intimate portrayal creates a fascinating text that reveals the harsh realities of the players' lives while simultaneously illuminating their endless love for the game.  The attractive design of the book invites readers of all ages, regardless of their interest in baseball.  The text is well organized and separated into nine sections, each one representing one of the nine innings of a typical baseball game.  Along with various lists of Negro League baseball players, the reader can find a detailed author's note near the end of the book, as well as a bibliography and a comprehensive index.  Throughout the text, source notes are included at the end of every sentence that contains a quotation, and baseball fans everywhere will enjoy looking up where these quotes came from in the endnotes section near the end of the book.  The logical sequence of information and the clear subheadings found at the beginning of each chapter provide helpful tools to those who are searching for specific information about the history of Negro League baseball.  Despite Nelson's extensive research and his unique style of writing, the true appeal of this book derives from his remarkable oil paintings.  The intensity with which the players loved the game and devoted themselves to the Negro League is skillfully portrayed through each spectacular painting. 

Awards

• 2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award
• 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
• 2009 Orbis Pictus Honor Award
• 2009 Sibert Medal

Review Excerpts

“In this attractive, oversized book, Nelson offers an appreciative tribute to the Negro Leagues.  Adopting the perspective and voice of an elderly ballplayer, he offers a readable account that his infused with an air of nostalgic oral history...Nelson's brilliant, almost iconic paintings vividly complement his account.  Starting with the impressive cover painting of a proud, determined Josh Gibson, the artist brings to light the character and inherent dignity of his subjects...an engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages.” 
               – School Library Journal, Starred Review

"In his first outing as author as well as illustrator, Nelson delivers a history of the Negro Leagues in a sumptuous volume that no baseball fan should be without...as illuminating as the text is, Nelson's muscular paintings serve as the true draw.  His larger-than-life players have oversized hands, elongated bodies and near-impossible athleticism.  Their lined faces suggest the seriousness with which they took their sport and the circumstances under which they were made to play it." 
               – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Nelson often works from a straight-on vantage point, as if the players took time out of the action to peer at the viewer from history, eyes leveled and challenging, before turning back to the field of play.  With enormous blue skies and jam-packed grandstands backing them, these players look like the giants they are.  The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves.  For students and fans (and those even older than the suggested grade level), this is the book to accomplish just that.” 
               – Booklist, Starred Review

"Nelson's extensive research (including interviews with former players) yields loads of attention-grabbing details: how much money players made; where, when, and how often games took place; who the standout owners, managers, and players were; and so on.  And not surprisingly, he often returns to the impact of racism on the leagues, teams, and individual athletes.  His grand slam, though, is the art: Nelson's oil paintings have a steely dignity, and his from-the-ground perspectives made the players look larger than life." 
               – The Horn Book, Starred Review

"Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times." 
               – Kirkus Book Reviews, Starred Review

"Through the text and artwork that pulses with life, Nelson has created a book that brings personality to the Negro Baseball League.  Using the voice of 'Everyman' in the league, this book will attract readers because of the full and double-page vibrant, realistic oil paintings, and immerse the reader in the compelling story being told."
               – Library Media Connection, Starred Review

Connections
We Are The Ship is a compelling informational account of an important piece of African American history.  After reading this book, children would enjoy learning more about Kadir Nelson by watching the author's interview on the Scholastic website.  Children can begin an author study by reading other books written and/or illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  Have children determine how many of his books are social histories that focus on important historical events in African American culture.  For a complete list of the books he has written and/or illustrated, see Kadir Nelson's website.


For children reading this book in high school, there are several detailed teacher guides along with other resources that may assist teachers and librarians who are planning a unit of study around the historical background of the Major League Baseball as well as Negro League Baseball.  Teachers and librarians can browse through the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Education Resource Links for helpful ideas, along with the museum's Electronic Resources for Teachers page.


For more children's books that include additional information about Negro League baseball and the talented players who played important parts in the league, see the titles below.


Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Satchel Paige. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Cohen, Barbara. Thank You, Jackie Robinson. Lothrop, 1988.
Curtis, Gavin. The Bat Boy & His Violin. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Golenbock, Peter. Teammates. Harcourt, 1990.
Gutman, Dan. Jackie and Me: A Baseball Card Adventure. Avon, 1999.
Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought). Harcourt, 1995.
Weatherford, Carole Boston. A Negro League Scrapbook. Boyds Mills, 2005.

What To Do About Alice?

Bibliography

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE THE RULES, CHARMED THE WORLD, AND DROVE HER FATHER TEDDY CRAZY. Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 9780545123259

Plot Summary

In this lively biographical account of President Theodore Roosevelt's free-spirited oldest child, the reader discovers how Alice Lee Roosevelt grew up to become one of our country's most beloved first daughters.  Along the way, readers are also given a direct glimpse into Theodore Roosevelt's life and the political career that led him on a journey to become the twenty-sixth President of the United States.  Despite the fact that her father was one of the most celebrated political figures during the time she lived, Alice is undeniably the star of this fascinating informational text.  From the moment she was born, Alice "was hungry to go places, meet people, do things," and throughout her life it seemed that there was little that stood in her way.  Although Alice experienced many hardships throughout her life, including the death of her mother following her birth and the growth abnormality that forced her to wear leg braces as a young girl, she remained positive and was determined to live her life on her own terms.  As a curious young girl who loved to read and explore the world around her, Alice was unlike many other girls her age.  She had absolutely no desire in learning how to behave like a proper young lady, and her antics attracted the attention of newspaper reporters who were eager to inform the public about Miss Roosevelt's outrageous behavior at various public events.  Her popularity with the American public never wavered, even after she was married to congressman Nicholas Longworth and her father left the presidency.  Alice's engaging personality captivated hundreds of thousands of people all over the world, and now future generations can continue to learn about the legacy she and her well-known family have left behind.

Critical Analysis

Barbara Kerley's informative picture-book biography will appeal to readers of all ages with its engaging presentation of facts about Alice Roosevelt's life.  These facts are intertwined into a charming narrative that never becomes tedious for the reader, and the author conveys authenticity with her inclusion of actual quotes from various members of the Roosevelt family.  A special Author's Note near the end of this informational text provides even more facts and details about President Roosevelt's popular daughter.  From beginning to end, the sequence and flow of information is clearly logical, as we watch Alice grow up into a lovely young woman whose love and knowledge of politics nearly rivals that of her father.  The overall design of the book is visually appealing to young readers, and illustrator Edwin Fotheringham's sketches provides the audience with a realistic impression of the abounding energy Alice possessed and the unapologetic manner with which she lived her life.  Along with creating an inviting tone, the playful illustrations effectively convey Alice's vivacious personality as she grows up to become a woman whose unconventional ideas and behavior never quite fit into the traditional expectations of what it means to become a proper young lady.  This charming biography will encourage readers to continue to learn more about Alice Roosevelt and discover exactly how successful she was in "eating up the world."

Awards

• An ALA Children's Notable Book
• Sibert Honor Book
• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
• Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
• Irma Black Award Honor Book
• Parents Choice Award

Review Excerpts

“Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was.” 
               – Booklist, Starred Review

"This sassy biography of Alice Roosevelt Longworth validates President Theodore Roosevelt's famous quip about his oldest child: 'I can be president of the United State, or I can control Alice.  I cannot possibly do both.'  With a palette that emphasizes Alice Blue, her signature color, the illustrations often match Alice's spirit with zigzag streaks, circular pieces of spot art, and slanting figures." 
               – The Horn Book, Starred Review

"It's hard to imagine a picture book biography that could better suit its subject than this high-energy volume serves young Alice Roosevelt.  Kerley knows just how to introduce her to contemporary readers.  Debut illustrator Fotheringham creates the perfect mood from the start: his stylish digital art sets a fast pace, making use of speed lines (rendered in dots, these earn their names) and multiple vignettes to evoke characters in perpetual motion." 
               – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"Kerley brings another historical figure to life.  Kerley's text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject's antics...Fotheringham's digitally rendered, retro-style illustrations are a superb match for the text.  The energy in his pictures is palpable...This book provides a fascinating glimpse into both a bygone era and one of its more interesting denizens as well as a surefire antidote for any child who thinks that historical figures are boring." 
               – School Library Journal, Starred Review

"Theodore Roosevelt's irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book...it's a gleeful celebration of a fully, unapologetically led life." 
               – Kirkus Book Reviews, Starred Review

Connections

This picture-book biography captures the life of Alice Roosevelt, one of many famous children of past Presidents of the United States.  Children can read this biography along with others that share the lives of other sons and daughters of American Presidents.  Both The List of Children of Presidents website and the White House Historical Association website offer detailed accounts of many of these children.  After reading two or more biographies, children can compare and contrast the lives of two or more children to see how many similarities and differences they can discover.


The Roosevelt family was quite large, and Alice had many younger siblings.  Children can explore the Theodore Roosevelt Association website to learn more information about his family tree.  Once children have researched Alice's younger brothers and sisters, they can write diary entries from the point of view of one of Alice's siblings.  In the entries, they can include historical facts and information about Alice's life and describe what her behavior must have looked like through the eyes of her brothers and sisters.


At the end of the book, the illustrator depicts the Mount Rushmore National Memorial - a famous historical monument that pays tribute to the extraordinary contributions of four American presidents.  Have children research the National Park Service website to learn more information about the history behind this notable national memorial.  Once they have finished researching, they can design their own memorial that features four individuals who have influenced our country in significant ways within the past five decades.  Along with their design, they can write a newspaper article announcing this new national monument, while making sure to justify why those four individuals were chosen to be honored.

The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest

Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve. 1999. THE TOP OF THE WORLD: CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 9780395942185

Plot Summary

In this stunning informational picture book, Steve Jenkins chronicles the thrilling adventure and dangerous risks involved with climbing Mount Everest - the highest point on Earth.  Readers will discover interesting facts about the history, geography, climate, and culture of the Himalayas.  The important information one needs to begin a climbing expedition is shared with readers as they learn what type of special equipment they'll need to pack, as well as the hardships one may suffer on their journey to the top of the mountain.  Avalanches, frostbite, frigid temperatures, high winds, and limited oxygen are only a few of the possible dangers that await those who dare to climb this peak.  Young adventurers will enjoy learning about how climbing Mount Everest is recognized as one of the most difficult physical challenges in the world.

Critical Analysis

The astonishing facts Steve Jenkins shares with the reader about Mount Everest are thoroughly researched, and readers can explore this famous mountain peak further by looking through the Bibliography and the Mount Everest Records located on the last page.  Along with this informative text's authenticity, the exquisitely detailed cut paper collages depict the grandeur of this magnificent peak in a way that no other medium can.  The overall design of this informational book is breathtaking, and the creative text layout makes the experience of reading this book even more exciting for the reader.  Subheadings provide each block of text with a clear main idea, and the reader can easily locate the specific topics of information they are seeking.  The author's writing style stimulates the curiosity of those who read this book, and many readers will find themselves wanting to continue researching to discover additional facts and information about this impressive natural feature.  Despite the obvious dangers and risks involved in climbing such a formidable mountain, the reader cannot help but experience the same feeling of exhilaration on the final page of the book when a climber has finally reached the top and is now "the highest thing on earth."  The text and illustrations perfectly complement this informational book and allow Steve Jenkins to bring this amazing journey alive for all readers.

Awards

• 1999 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Winner, Nonfiction
• 2000 Orbis Pictus Honor Book
• School Library Journal Best Books of 1999
• Horn Book Fanfare 2000 List
• Notable Books for Children, 2000 American Library Association - ALSC

Review Excerpts

“...The cut-paper collage illustrations manage to show the grandeur of the world's tallest mountain with an immediacy that few photographs can.  The book follows a logical sequence, beginning with the statistics and continuing with a virtual climbing experience for the reader.  Exceptional design handles these bits of text remarkably well...the deft execution of the illustrations brings the whole package to a higher level."

               – The Horn Book, Starred Review

"Readers will cheer with the climber illustrated on the summit, and want to go back and pore over the details in the words and pictures again.  Suggestions for further reading and Web research conclude this excellent example of pictorial nonfiction."

               – School Library Journal, Starred Review


"At each step, the striking collages extend the information of the text and capture the majesty of the mountain.  Visually arresting and inspiring."

               – Kirkus Book Reviews

“The book teaches children about the thrills and risks of big mountains without frightening them." 

               – The New York Times Book Review

Connections

After reading The Top of the World, children can begin a unit of study that focuses on the geography and culture surrounding the Himalayan mountain range.  After researching, children can share their research findings and discuss how important they believe Mount Everest is to the economy in Nepal.  Do the hundreds of mountain climbers who travel from all over the world each year for a chance to reach the peak help to contribute to the local economy of Nepal?


Children will enjoy reading other books written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins to look for similarities and differences among his cut paper collages.


Children can research the heights of each individual mountain peak in the Himalayan mountain range, displaying their results in a graph once they are finished.